Haverford, Pa. – Women's tennis player Olivia Rauss has had a busy summer working at several schools in China through the coordination of the Haverford College Center for Peace and Global Citizens (CPGC) internship program and the Amity Foundation.

The CPGC is an academic center whose mission is to integrate innovative scholarship and responsible civic engagement. Through its myriad programs, the Center serves as a bridge between the classroom and the world at large around issues of peace and social justice.

CPGC's internship programs have been developed to widen and deepen Haverford's connections with social change organizations and to encourage a collaborative approach to pressing social, cultural and ethical concerns.

Rauss was able to work at two schools in Nanjing, run by the Amity Foundation, working with young children who have autism and young adults who have mental disabilities, but who are relatively high functioning. She also worked at a junior and senior high school in Fengxian to help teach the English language to students and share information about the United States and its culture.  

Currently, the women's tennis player is conducting a workshop for English teachers in Jingchaun. "The purpose of the program is to give the English teachers tools to become better through self-assessment and brainstorming exercises," said Rauss. "In addition, we provide these teachers a forum in which to listen to native English speakers as well as to practice speaking English themselves. Interspersed throughout the day are activities to familiarize the teachers with American culture, including such things as how certain holidays are celebrated in the U.S., typical athletic events, etc." 

Rauss, who grew up in West Falmouth, Mass., has always had a personal interest in China as she was adopted from there at the age of three. "This internship allows me an opportunity to be in China for two months," expressed Rauss. "The second reason is that I have a longstanding interest in education and, as of now, am leaning towards a career in education. I particularly was attracted to the idea of the Summer English Program in which I will be given the opportunity to teach others." 

The two-time Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar-Athlete has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to visit many different parts of China and interacting with a wide variety of people. "I love being able to experience firsthand many aspects of China that I had only previously studied," the rising senior stated. "From these new experiences I have begun to understand the culture on a completely different level. I have always been interested in the Chinese education system and have really enjoyed having time in the schools and I am beginning to gain an understanding how the system works." 

The time in China also provided some difficult challenges for Rauss. "During the Service Learning Program, we often would not know what we were supposed to be doing until the night before the event," she explained. "In other words, I have learned that it is critical to be flexible and to adjust easily, particularly when one is a visitor/guest in another culture." Other times there were enough teachers working at the schools which left little for the interns to do other than observe. Rauss made the best of a tough situation, saying "Although it is frustrating to just sit and feel as if you are not doing anything, I have learned a great deal from simply observing others." 

Rauss' time in China has proven to be a wonderful experience. "Although there were some ups and downs, I feel I have gained a lot of knowledge and understanding of myself as well as of China that I would not have had without participating in this program," said the rising senior. "In addition, I am gaining a greater appreciation of the teaching profession and this experience is opening my eyes to a wider variety of avenues for me to explore when I return to the U.S."